Agrometeorological information, used for decision making, represents part of a continuum; at the other end is scientific knowledge and understanding. Other components of this continuum are the collection of data and transforming data into useful information. Information has value when it is disseminated in such a way that the end-users get the maximum benefit in applying its content. This paper explores the potential of the new information and communications technologies to improve the access to agrometeorological information. The Internet will play an important role in the collection and transfer of information. In developing countries, Multi-Purpose Community Telecentres (MCTs) will be the equivalent of an information supermarket. Radio can be used to transfer information from MCTs to rural areas. Using response farming as an example, a prototype information system that can have wide applicability is suggested. Procedures on evaluating the impact of agrometeorological information are provided. Future concerns about the information needs of diverse end-users, information on a fee basis, and the training needs of end-users and intermediaries are discussed. Although modern technology has improved agrometeorological information and increased the number of end-users, continued improvements are necessary to ensure that the content of the information is adequate to fulfill the requirements of the farming communities.

The oxidation of fatty acids in the presence of\ud atmospheric oxygen is recognized as one of the main factors\ud affecting the shelf life of oils and fats causing rancidity\ud by the formation of off-flavors due to aliphatic aldehydes or\ud other volatile compounds. Therefore, the oxidative stability\ud is one of the most important parameters to be evaluated in\ud the formulation of commercial frying oils. In this regard, the\ud induction period of 15 frying oils has been measured using\ud two different methods of accelerated oxidation, OXITEST\ud and RANCIMAT, and correlated to their fatty acid content\ud previously detected by gas chromatographic technique.\ud Frying oils containing high contents of saturated fatty acids\ud mainly from the palm oil achieved an improved oxidative\ud stability by increasing their induction period. Moreover,\ud the linear regression analysis showed a good correlation\ud between the induction period values of the two instruments.\ud Hence, the innovative OXITEST method may be an easy,\ud fast, and eco-friendly alternative to the official RANCIMAT\ud method for evaluating the oxidative stability in oil- and fat containing\ud products

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Agriculture is deeply interconnected with weather and climate, the main drivers of agriculture production, but also the dominant factors in the overall variability of food production. Agriculture constitutes the principal livelihood of 70% of the world's poor; many of them are hungry and living in vulnerable, climate-sensitive areas. Since the undernourished population reached 1 billion persons in 2009, raising food production by some 70% to meet the needs of a projected world population of 9.1 billion people in 2050 may be one of the greatest challenges of the century. In addition, changes in climatic conditions are already having impacts on agriculture and the use of natural resources for food production. Climate science has much to offer in addressing these challenges, especially with respect to the characterisation of agroclimatic resources and development of climateresponsive food and agriculture policies, programmes and practices. However, as food systems expand into marginal and vulnerable areas, the need for a renewed, holistic focus is becoming evident, taking into account ecological, economic and social perspectives. Climate and agriculture services must therefore consider climate as a resource, understand current and future vulnerabilities and risks, and develop synergies that embrace innovation in climate science in order to facilitate sustainable agriculture and food security. The emerging ability of climate science to provide timely and accurate climate information, together with innovative tools and methods for analysis, presents opportunities for managing current climate risks and for initiating strategic climate-resilient adaptation in agriculture. However, to make effective use of these advancements, action-oriented climate advice should integrate information on different time scales (intra-seasonal, seasonal and long-term) for risk/ opportunity management and strategies for optimal and sustainable use of land, water and genetic resources. Strong partnerships and collaboration among international institutions, national hydrometeorological services, agricultural extension agencies, national research institutions, communitybased organisations and social networks are a prerequisite for the advancement of action-oriented advice. All of these efforts present key challenges, but offer immense opportunities, for both climate science and agriculture services, with respect to supporting sustainable agriculture and food security.

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